Due Friday – Caught in a Vicious Circle (page 132)

Question 1: Write a list of all the characters in this story and describe what type of person they are.

- Elaine – Elaine is a good person, though she is struck in a vicious circle, the longer you stay in the circle the harder it gets to stop!
She is hanging around with friends that have bad influence on her. The “leader” of her friend-gang makes her do things that she doesn’t really want to do. She does not like Cordelia, but she still does whatever she tells her to do. I would like to call her a “dumb-nice” person.

Cordelia – Cordelia is easy described as a cruel person. She hate to be made fun of, and she always bosses others around. She makes Elaine do things she doesn’t want to do. She is dependant on her friends, but she still treats them like dirt.

Carol – Carol is not as bad as the other girls. I think that she can be a very nice person, but she always take orders from Cordelia and is bossed around, just as Elaine. Carol cares for others, and she takes things seriously. I think it would be best for her if she also did like Elaine, to don’t hang around with Cordelia and get new friends, like if she joined Elaine and her new friend Jill.

Grace – It’s not so much to say about Grace since its not so much about her, but in my opinion she is basically Cordelia’s puppet, or “mini-me”:Cordelia’s thoughts is her thoughts, and she she always takes orders from Cordelia.

Elaine’s Mother – Like all mothers do, she also cares about here child, Elaine, and she knows Elaine has a rough time at the momen and that her friends aren’t good for her. That’s why it was so easy for her to tell who threw Elaine’s hat from the bridge even if Elaine did not tell her.

Question 2: What is the theme of this story? What is the author trying to get across to the reader?

The theme in this story is about that people can have bad influence on others. The author is trying to tell you that you should have your own opinions, go your own way, make your own desision and don’t just do as others tell you to. In the end you are caught in a viscious circle and it is harder to stop. Stay away from people who have bad influence on you!

Question 3: What did you like/dislike about this story, please be specific!

Th theeme in this story is OK, its not my favorite though… The message the author tries to hand out is quite good, and the message counts just as much today as it counted for decades ago, it will always be one or another that bosses people around, even I have experienced it.
I am glad that Elaine discovers that Cordelia has bad influence on her, and that she finally decides to find new friends and that she don’t want to take revenge on Cordelia…